Coating the interior: Epoxy or Varnish?

[Superdave]

I'd like to coat a portion of the floor of my canoe in order to make the surface little smoother. The boat is a Swift Cruiser 16.8 in carbon innegra and the epoxy resin. I ordered the boat with a bench seat, because I frequently change positions between sitting, kneeling, or one leg forward and one leg back. I also like to paddle barefoot sometimes, but the texture of the carbon innegra cloth is a little abrasive on the tops of my feet as I slide them in and out from under the seat when I alternate from kneeling and sitting. The texture is fine on the soles of my feet, but it leads to rug burns on the tops of my feet as I slide them around, so I'm just looking to smooth it out a bit with a coating of something.

Any advice on whether to use an epoxy resin or spar varnish, or something else? It seems like varnish would be the cheaper/easier option, but I'm wondering if epoxy will be more durable and less maintenance down the road. Durability is a concern, because this will be applied in the hi wear area that gets ground in dirt and mud when I am wearing shoes. I'm only looking to coat a small area of the floor from a few inches forward of the seat to a few inches aft.

Also, I'd appreciate any recommendations on brands and application tips. If I go with epoxy, I was thinking West System or Silver Tip. If I go with varnish, something with a matte appearance would be a better match to the rest of the interior.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I don't know the answer to your specific question about varnish vs. epoxy, except to say I don't recall off-hand anyone varnishing the interior of a canoe but do recall many builder discussions about filling the interior weave with resin. My Mike Galt Lotus canoes have a football of gelcoat on the floor. Maybe that would be the most expensive and difficult to apply—not sure, no personal experience applying.

Myself, I solve your particular issue with a foam mat. The T-shaped mats extend backward under the seat.

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[ppine]

Find some UV resistant varnish and use that. Epoxy is not stable in UV light. If you use epoxy you still have to coat it with varnish.

 

[RBourg]

On my Keewaydin15, I use a thin piece of yoga mat on the floor for some cushion and the ability to collect dirt. The mat is large enough to go from under my feet at the footbraces to under my seat. An added benefit is that it cushions and dampens the sound from moving things when I fish. if you really wanted to coat it then maybe epoxy paint, not epoxy resin, but consult with swift first an their suggestions.

 

[Gamma1214]

A pad would, almost certainly, be the easiest option as well as being the easiest to maintain (just toss it when it gets worn too badly).

As for products, application, etc., I agree with the above and think I'd reach out to Swift and get their take on it. Either way, please let us know what your eventual solution is. I doubt that you're the first to have such an issue and you're unlikely to be the last.

 

[memaquay]

I always put 3 coats of varnish on the interior of new strippers. It won't fill the weave totally, but it will smooth it out a little.

 

[gumpus]

If I go barefoot I'll get rug burns on the tops of my feet every time regardless of the canoe. If you fill in the weave a bit you're just changing the grit of the sandpaper. If my feet will be in direct contact with the hull I wear socks.

 

[M Clemens]

I was disappointed when Swift changed their Kevlar Fusion inner blanket to the coarse black and gold aramid weave in 2020, as I find it very abrasive as well when paddling barefoot. The coarse weave combined with the infusion process results in a scour-pad-like surface. I never had an issue with the older style fine weave Kevlar. The Carbon Innegra inner blanket is coarse as well?

Curtis used to paint the interior of his glass hulls with gray exterior floor paint as well as the bottom of his Kevlar Hybrid boats. I have done the same with several other hulls as well; it holds up well and is less abrasive to bare skin.